TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The agency that regulates utilities in Kansas is temporarily waiving its fee on excess propane storage in hopes of encouraging shippers to send more propane into the state.

The Kansas Corporation Commission decided Thursday to suspend the fee of 7.5 cents a barrel through February. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the three-member KCC acted at the request of Oklahoma-based pipeline company Oneok.

About 83,000 Kansas homes use propane for heat. Its price spiked earlier this week at more than $4 per gallon, a rise of more than $1 compared to the week before.

The KCC's action comes a day after Gov. Sam Brownback announced he was directing the state to help poor families relying on propane for home heating. He's also temporarily eased trucking regulations to help shippers.

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